I'm reviewing a set of inductors for the Experimenting with Magnetic Components design challenge. In this post: a non-destructive testbed for SMD transformers. The inductor is #13 of the kit: HCTSM80304BAL-E1 Pulse Transformer, 3:4, 300µHHCTSM80304BAL-E1 Pulse Transformer, 3:4, 300µH

Experiment with SMD components

I'm going to use two SMD pulse transformers in a PWM translate and a DC conversion scenario.

I want to have access to all pins to show what's going on.

Here's how I made a test jig, using things I have lying around here.

I'm going to use a repurposed proto board. The transformer's pitch doesn't match the pcb matrix, but it isn't that far off.

I cut of a pair of 3-pin headers to mount the inductor into.

I'm using the wire-wrap style. They have very long pins and can be used as male or female access pins.

The transformer's pitch is a little wider than the distance between the header pins, but all 3 pins at each side make contact.

I first soldered the headers onto the proto board. Then placed the transfo in between and made the solder connections between transfo and header pins.

I taped Kapton foil (price for participating in project14price for participating in project14) on the board to avoid any bogus contacts between the transformer's SMD pads and the PCB pads.

The end result is neat, easy to use. And non-destructive: all components can be recovered when done.